Austin police say a traffic stop involving a woman wanted in a bank card abuse investigation led officers to hundreds of suspected stolen cards, postal keys, gift cards, checks and thousands of pieces of mail.
Elizabeth Rozo, 42, was arrested Aug. 25 after officers located her vehicle near an apartment complex in the Tech Ridge Boulevard area. Police had learned that a warrant had been issued for her in connection with an investigation into credit card or bank card abuse.
What officers say they found inside the vehicle quickly expanded the case. The haul included approximately 400 suspected stolen bank cards, nearly 300 gift cards and two counterfeit postal “Arrow Keys,” specialized keys capable of providing access to cluster-style mailboxes.
A subsequent search of Rozo’s apartment produced additional evidence, according to the Austin Police Department. By the end of the searches, investigators said they had seized thousands of pieces of stolen mail, hundreds of checks, 17 stolen postal keys and other suspected evidence of identity theft and fraud.
The Traffic Stop Produced Hundreds of Bank and Gift Cards
Members of APD’s North Metro Tactical Unit located Rozo’s vehicle at an apartment complex after receiving information about the outstanding warrant. Police watched Rozo leave the complex and get into the vehicle before following her and conducting a traffic stop.
During the vehicle search, officers say they found approximately 400 suspected stolen bank cards and nearly 300 gift cards. Investigators believe the gift cards had been purchased using stolen bank cards.
Officers also recovered two counterfeit Arrow Keys. The evidence discovered during the stop led investigators to obtain a warrant to search Rozo’s apartment.
The Apartment Search Added Stolen Mail, Checks and Postal Keys
The subsequent apartment search substantially increased the amount and variety of evidence in the investigation. APD said the combined searches resulted in the seizure of hundreds of stolen checks, approximately two dozen stolen or fraudulently created identification documents and thousands of pieces of stolen mail.
Investigators also recovered 17 stolen postal keys in addition to the two counterfeit Arrow Keys found during the investigation. Police have not disclosed how the keys were allegedly obtained, how many mail receptacles they may have provided access to or how many individual victims are represented by the seized mail. FOX 7 Austin also reported that officers recovered approximately two ounces of suspected methamphetamine.
Postal Keys Can Give Thieves Access to Mail From Many Households
A single compromised key can potentially expose mail belonging to numerous residents. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has warned that criminals target Arrow Keys because they can provide access to collection boxes, parcel lockers and cluster box units. Stolen mail can then be used in additional financial crimes, including check fraud and identity theft.
Austin police have encountered the same mechanism in other recent investigations. In July, APD announced that another operation involving counterfeit Arrow Keys led to the recovery of hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, thousands of checks, bank cards, identification documents and equipment allegedly used for counterfeiting.
Rozo Faces Three Charges So Far, and Police Expect More
Rozo was booked on the outstanding warrant for credit card or bank card abuse. Austin police also charged her with unlawful conduct involving a mail receptacle or lock and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance involving methamphetamine.
APD said additional charges are anticipated as investigators examine the seized evidence and determine the scope of the suspected activity.Rozo has been arrested and charged, but the allegations against her have not resulted in a conviction.
Missing Mail Can Be the First Warning of a Larger Identity Theft Problem
Austin police recommend treating unexpected missing mail, unfamiliar financial transactions and unexplained credit activity as possible warning signs rather than isolated inconveniences.
Residents can collect mail promptly after delivery, use USPS Hold Mail while traveling and sign up for Informed Delivery, which provides digital previews of eligible incoming mail. If an expected bank card, check or financial document does not arrive, contact the sender.
Checks deserve additional attention because stolen checks can be altered after being removed from the mail. APD recommends using permanent black ink, filling blank spaces and reviewing images of cleared checks for changes to the payee or amount.
If a bank or credit card is missing or has been used without permission, the Federal Trade Commission recommends notifying the issuing financial institution immediately. People who discover broader identity theft can also consider placing free credit freezes with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Suspected mail theft can be reported to local police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.